Why Downdraught Tables Are Essential for High Dust Environments

Capturing harmful dust at source in high risk environments such as woodworking, metalworking and manufacturing is crucial for the wellbeing of employees.

Using downdraught tables for industrial dust extraction, like those offered by AirBench, improves workplace safety and air quality by extracting dust and harmful particles downwards into a filtration system, away from the operator, to prevent them from being inhaled.

Without the presence of downdraught benches, tables and booths, employee safety may be compromised and there’s a significant risk of life changing industrial diseases occurring.

How do downdraught tables work?

Downdraught tables effectively extract dust, fumes and other harmful particles into a filtration system, protecting workers and maintaining a clean environment. They’re designed to capture contaminants at source to prevent them from spreading into the workspace.

Crucial in industries like grinding, welding, sanding and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where exposure to dust, fumes, and particles can pose serious health risks; by drawing contaminants downwards, this ensures the air inhaled by employees is free from harmful substances, while preventing the accumulation of dust and debris. The filtration system traps harmful particles safely and returns clean air into the workspace.

As well as removing harmful dust, downdraught benches are also used for fume extraction in workplaces such as car body shops and vehicle manufacturing plants, where exhaust fumes, solvents, paints, adhesives and other substances can release harmful fumes that may cause serious health issues.

As well as providing a safe environment, downdraught tables ensure companies adhere to industry regulations, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation.

AirBench vs traditional dust extraction systems

By using an AirBench, this can reduce the need for other types of ventilation systems, or it can complement their use to provide greater protection in high risk environments.

Other types include VertEx cross-draught extraction systems, comprising modular walls of extraction that draw in dust or fumes through perforated front panels into internal filters. They remove contaminants from the airstream and return filtered air to the workspace.

The AirBench air cleaning unit is based on proven fan and filter technology to combat atmospheric dust issues caused by dust escaping from nearby processes. The MF units run continuously to gently clean and recirculate workshop air. The larger AT systems are designed for factory use, where the existing dust or fume extraction system may leave excess particles in the air, such as in welding facilities.

A stand-alone air cleaning unit has integrated pulse-clean systems to remove dust from the filters. In some industries, the particles can be quite small, such as silica, making them easier to inhale and cause damage to the lungs, so it can be useful to have an additional dust extraction system to help remove contaminants from the air.

Providing local extraction for grinding, sanding and similar processes; businesses can also choose a high vacuum, on-tool extraction system which uses high negative pressures in small ducting. This type of extraction can assist downdraught tables, benches and booths by providing a more local dust capture, or it can be used separately for various processes. It is commonly used in car body shops, where local on-tool extraction is the most suitable solution.

Industries such as woodworking, metalworking and manufacturing benefit most from using downdraught tables, due to the large amount of dust produced by these processes.

Different types of AirBench models

AirBench provides a range of different sizes and configurations that can be customised to suit the unique needs of different industries and applications, such as equipping them with specific types of filtration systems to address various contaminants.

The AirBench FN is a heavy-duty range of five downdraught benches where the filters are accessed through a hinged front panel for convenience. They are suitable for most applications, especially heavy industrial use. The FN range can be supplied with a choice of alternative filter configurations to combat different dust and fume extraction requirements.

Our top-access AirBench FP range also comprises a heavy-duty selection of five downdraught benches designed to cope with most applications and heavy industrial use. Fully welded and powder coated, the 3mm steel surface is perforated. Both the FN and FP AirBenches offer 50kg surface loading as standard, and up to 500kg surface loading on request.

The AirBench RP is a downdraught bench with pulse-clean filters and an integral air tank that cleans its filters on demand by using a blast of compressed air. Suitable for high dust generation applications for non-explosive dusts, such as stone masonry, they are available in various layout and size configurations, offering standard surface loading of 150kg, with up to 500kg on request.

When fume volumes are too high for carbon filtration and access to an outside exhaust location is available, the AirBench FE is an ideal choice. The range comprises five downdraught benches designed for high-volume exhaust to atmosphere fume extraction. They discharge fumes externally, without filtration, by connecting to ducting. Our FE range is designed with an internal structure that allows for high airflows, while protecting the fan from spillages. We can provide standard or ATEX-rated fans designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Impact on your business

Downdraught tables can have a positive impact on business efficiency and worker productivity. The key benefits include reduced downtime from dust-related health issues, lower cleaning costs, and improved compliance with safety regulations. Downdraught tables are a smart investment!